The Arkansaw traveler., 1887-12-24

HahiAN 3N OI the 0lu Iarm- us1H&tkNHS1 house with a great n4E3#f3hf1SiAa load of wood on his
 tss1 shoulders. With a
 1 crash he deposited
 his burden on the spacious hearth, where huge fire was already blazing, and began to pile on the long dry sticks of beech and perfect sheet of flame was roaring up the wide throated chimney.
 Grandma Botsworth, who sat in her accustomed corner by the "jamb," !" busy with her knitting, made no re- ply; while Uncle Billy proceeded to remove his coat, hat and boots, and, having filled and lighted his pipe, sat down to enjoy himself. Outside, a furious snowstorm was raging, and already the earth was heavily car peted with white. Presently his two sons, Jacob and Milton, came in from doing up the chores, and, like their father, were soon divested of caps, coats and boots, and seated before the rousing fire talking over the events of the day. A little later Mrs. Bots worth joined them, and then the family circle was complete. No, not complete, either; a daughter was miss ing. Three years ago this Christmas eve she had gone out from the pa- rental root to marry the man she loved, but whom her father had for bidden some time before to enter his doors. But Mary had gone; and she and her husband, a poor mechanic, went out west to build up for them- selves home and fortune. After they were married, day or two be- fore they were to start for Dakota, Mary and her husband drove to the old home, where she got out of the buggy and started to go into the house to say good bye. She did not ask nor expect forgiveness from her father for what she had done but she knew her mother and her brothers still loved her, and would gladly have her come to see them. So o'she just had her hand on the gate-latch, and, with tear filled eyes, was taking in the dear and familiar surroundings, when her father, coming round the corner of the house, saw her.
 "Don't yer come in here," he yelled, hoarsely. "Don't step your foot in- side O that gate, Mary Ellen Bots- worth. You're no darter O mine. Take yer hatchet- faced paint slinger, an git"
 For moment she stood as if stunned at his words; then, without a word, turned and went to the buggy. Her husband helped her in, and then standing up and shaking his whip at Uncle Billy, said: "Bill Botsworth, if you wasn't my wife's father I'd thrash you till you couldn't walk for week. You object to me for 8 son. in-law only because I am poor; but I'll see the day can buy an sell you's if you was black, darn you"
 Here Mary laid her hand on his arm and said, "Stop, Will; it won't help things any to quarrel; let's go."
 It was we'll that Will needed her advice, for old Uncle Billy had started for the buggy with murder in his eye and there is no telling what might have happened had not Milton and Jacob, at this juncture, made their appearance and urged him to Dc quiet
 So Mary went from home an out cast; and, as the buggy disappeared around the bend in the road, Milton turned to his father, and, with tears in his eyes, said, responsibility:
 ''Pap, you oughtenter have done it.
 And Mrs. Botsworth, who had come to the door just in time to take in the affair, echoed her sons words
 "No, pap, you was too hasty," she added. Mary Ellen was allus a mighty good girl: an, though I'd ruther she'd not married Will Ken ney, yet hope the Lord will prosper 'em both"
 "You are right, mother," said Ja- cob, the elder of her sons, "you ars right, mother. 'Filsey' Ohe nickname the boys had bestowed upon Mary when she was toddler) was the best girl in Indiany; kind an lovin', an g sister worth the havin'."
 As for Uncle Billy, seeing his whole family up in arms against him, he vouchsafed no reply, but turning strode rapidly away in the direction of the barn.
 From that time on he had never spoken his daughter's name. And although he knew that mother and the boys got occasional letters from her, yet he never by sign or inquiry showed that he ever thought of her